What is the procedure for having someone visit you at your resort?

[Jasminetigger]

Just found out today that the grandparents want to come spend a day with the girls while we are at Wilderness Lodge. What steps do I need to take so they can get throught the front gate? Can they valet park while they are there and just have our room billed for it? I know this is a touchy subject, but would they be allowed to swim with the girls? Me and DH would be willing to stay out of the pool that day and let them take our place, that way we are not adding extra bodies in the pool, so maybe nobody would get upset. We are staying concierge, if they want to partake in some of the food offerings, do you think I could just pay extra for that day? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately the girls only see the grandparents a couple times a year, so we want this visit to go as smoothly as possible. The girls are just so excited about meme' and pepe' coming to visit them at WDW.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I just visited a friend of mine last week at PO-R. All I had to do was give the guard my Drivers License & he took down my plate number. We were there from 9am to 9:30pm. We didn't swim but did go over to the pool to sit & the kids went by the playground. We had no problems what so ever. As far as staying concierge, I don't know how that would work for the food??? That is a good question. I don't think they can pay for food for a day like that.

 

[dznyntnh]

During my last two visits, I had a friend who is an Orlando-ite, stay over with a me a night or two. The only thing he had to do was give my name to the guard. This was at WL and Dolphin (I don't even know if he gave my name at the Dolphin since this was prior to them charging for parking).

 

[DawnCt1]

Just found out today that the grandparents want to come spend a day with the girls while we are at Wilderness Lodge. What steps do I need to take so they can get throught the front gate? Can they valet park while they are there and just have our room billed for it? I know this is a touchy subject, but would they be allowed to swim with the girls? Me and DH would be willing to stay out of the pool that day and let them take our place, that way we are not adding extra bodies in the pool, so maybe nobody would get upset. We are staying concierge, if they want to partake in some of the food offerings, do you think I could just pay extra for that day? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately the girls only see the grandparents a couple times a year, so we want this visit to go as smoothly as possible. The girls are just so excited about meme' and pepe' coming to visit them at WDW.

There would not be a problem. I often valet park at resorts that I don't stay at because its convenient. When they arrive you can either meet them and escort them to your room or they can go to the front desk and have someone call you. As far as swimming in the pool, just show your hotel id and if anyone questions it, which I can't imagine they will, explain that they are your guests.

 

[jgalecpa]

We've had people visit us at the GF and the Poly.

Very simple.

At the GF, they self parked, I believe.

Also used the pool at gf with no problem.

They just changed in our room and walked down with us.

 

[safetymom]

I would suggest asking at the front desk about them using the pool. As far as them using the concierge lounge I don't think that it is allowed but again ask and see what they say.

 

[Traveliz]

Just email your concierge planner and let them tell you what the procedure is!

Liz

 

[magsmom]

Guests not paying for Concierge are not allowed to use the lounge. I asked last year when I stayed at WL.

 

[Jasminetigger]

Thanks everybody for all the information. That what I love about these boards. All you have to do is ask and a wealth of information will be yours!

 

[DawnCt1]

I would suggest asking at the front desk about them using the pool. As far as them using the concierge lounge I don't think that it is allowed but again ask and see what they say.

I wouldn't ask a question that I wouldn't like the answer to. I can't imagine that anyone would ask grandparents to leave the pool area, the concierge room or anywhere else where they rest of the family is. It might be against the "rules" but most CM's are flexible enough to look the other way when its obviously appropriate but would probably feel compelled to say no if directly asked. If it were a large group of people, that would be a different matter but that isn't the case. For what one pays for concierge, its not unreasonable.

 

[NCDisneyMom]

I don't know what the official policy is on using the concierge lounge, but here is my experience. While I was staying at one resort, I had friends staying at the AKL Concierge. Since I had never even seen a room at the AKL before, I went to visit with them. They brought me up to the lounge, just to see it. I had no intention of partaking in any of the offerings, since I was not paying to stay there. However, the lounge CM came over and said hello to my friend. My friend introduced me to the CM, and mentioned that I was just visiting from another resort. The CM said (and I paraphrase, since it's been awhile) "Hello! Please help yourself to our offerings (which she proceeded to go over with me). Any friend of :::insert friends name here::: is a guest of ours". I asked if she was sure, and she said she would be insulted if I didn't! I still felt guilty, so I just had a small glass of juice and a couple of nibbles.

Again, I will not say that this is the written policy, but I would definitely suggest asking!

 

[Sammie]

Let the front desk know you will be recieving guests and what day. When the Grandparents arrive at the Gate, tell them to let the guard know they are visiting you. I would suggest you meet them out front if you want to pay for their valet parking. I don't think they will let them charge to your room account without your authorization.

As to the pool. You are allowed to have at the pool the room occupancy for your room. If you do not exceed that, then you have no problem.

As to concierge, as stated it is for the number of people that have booked to stay there. The food offerings are based on that number. Even though your guests might not partake of much, what if everyone that booked concierge brought in extra guests. The small number then becomes a large number. You can see the problems it would cause. Since I know what the policy is before I get there I would never be so rude as to put a CM in the awkward position of me asking about a policy I already know about. Guidelines are always there for a reason and to circumvent them does cause incoveniences for others. If you visit the lounge and the CM then offers for your guest to join, that is different than asking.

Enjoy your visit.

 

[DawnCt1]

As to concierge, as stated it is for the number of people that have booked to stay there. The food offerings are based on that number. Even though your guests might not partake of much, what if everyone that booked concierge brought in extra guests. The small number then becomes a large number. You can see the problems it would cause. Enjoy your visit.

How many people, traveling from out of state have an opportunity to bring guests? So 'what if everyone brought guests', doesn't make sense. For what the grandparents would be eating, it would be negligible. Food can be replenished if it disappears that quick. If our family were staying there, with my DSs, the kitchen would be making very frequent visits. I think the potential problems of visiting grandparents have been somewhat overstated.

 

[Sammie]

How many people, traveling from out of state have an opportunity to bring guests? So 'what if everyone brought guests', doesn't make sense. For what the grandparents would be eating, it would be negligible. Food can be replenished if it disappears that quick. If our family were staying there, with my DSs, the kitchen would be making very frequent visits. I think the potential problems of visiting grandparents have been somewhat overstated.

It's not just a situation of out of state guests having someone over to visit. It is a situation of one person books a concierge room, and then having guests over that are staying elsewhere, even off site. Believe me it happens more than you can imagine. And some CM's have had to ask people to leave the lounge. Food is not replenished at many concierge lounges and many have complained that by the time they arrived to the lounge the pickings were slim. If you were paying the high cost of concierge would you want to arrive to an empty table.

I am sure this is not what the OP had in mind, but when you make a blanket statement to disregard the policies you are encouraging this situation. If the OP asks and the staff has no problem, then there is no problem. But to encourage someone to avoid asking, in fear of what they might be told, in my opinion is inconsiderate of others paying for concierge. If they are not booked to capacity they might not care. But only the CMs on duty can make that call.

I would suggest to the OP they book a room for the Grandparents in concierge and have them spend the night. That would be a wonderful solution for all.

 

[DawnCt1]

I would suggest to the OP they book a room for the Grandparents in concierge and have them spend the night. That would be a wonderful solution for all.

I would say that it would be overkill. The grandparents are coming to spend time with the family, not to dine. Obviously if a guests walks in with several people far exceeding the number that would normally be in a room, they should be asked to leave but two grandparents don't fit that description. Also, if food is not replenished during the appropriate time then I would complain. Concierge service is a big money maker for WDW resorts and guests should get what they are paying for.

 

[safetymom]

But then there wouldn't be any problems with them using the pool or the lounge for food.

 

[Jasminetigger]

Thank you everyone for all your helpful information. All of you have valid points. Didn't mean to stir up any trouble here. I think I will ask upon checking in if we can pay extra for lounge privileges the day they are here and if we can't, we will just stay away from the lounge that day. Ya'll have all been wonderful getting me information so fast. Hope everyone has a great day!